Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair
Photo provided by Santa Barbara Conference & Visitors Bureau and Film Commission/Jay Sinclair

Popular places to visit

Arlington Theater

Arlington Theater

Enjoy a show at Arlington Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's seaside or experience its lively festivals.

Arlington Theater
Paseo Nuevo Mall

Paseo Nuevo Mall

You can enjoy retail therapy at Paseo Nuevo Mall during your stay in Santa Barbara. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Paseo Nuevo Mall

Granada Theatre

Enjoy a performance at Granada Theatre, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Granada Theatre

Lobero Theater

Enjoy a performance at Lobero Theater, a popular theatre in Santa Barbara. Stroll along the area's waterfront or simply savour its top-notch restaurants.

Lobero Theater

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

You can study the exhibits at Santa Barbara Museum of Art, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

La Arcada

You can enjoy retail therapy at La Arcada during your trip to Santa Barbara. Wander the beautiful beaches and seaside in the area.

La Arcada

Activities

Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy

NZ$42
per adult
Visit the Rescued Cats of Cat Therapy
Horseback Riding and Wine Tasting Tour

Horseback Riding and Wine Tasting Tour

NZ$723
per adult
Horseback Riding and Wine Tasting Tour
Taco Tour Santa Barbara

The Original TACO TOUR Santa Barbara

NZ$248
per adult
The Original TACO TOUR Santa Barbara
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle

NZ$214
per adult
Santa Ynez Wine Shuttle
Salem Puzzling Adventure

Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure

NZ$58
per traveller
Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure
Happy Hour History

Santa Barbara Downtown Cocktails and History Walking Tour

NZ$150
per adult
Santa Barbara Downtown Cocktails and History Walking Tour
See all activities in Santa Barbara

Our pick of the best Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Hotel Deals

Hotel Santa Barbara

Hotel Santa Barbara

3 out of 5
533 State St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is NZ$496 per night from 8 Sept to 9 Sept
NZ$496
8 Sept - 9 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,011 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 12 Aug. 2025

Hotel Santa Barbara
The Upham Hotel

The Upham Hotel

4 out of 5
1404 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is NZ$386 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
NZ$386
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Beautiful hotel
"This is a beautiful hotel in a perfect location, which easy access to restaurants and shops on State Street. Loved the unique room configurations and how well kept the historic hotel was. Would come back."

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

The Upham Hotel
Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels

3.5 out of 5
524 State St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is NZ$490 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
NZ$490
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (369 reviews)
"Be wary, some rooms have very small or no windows"

Reviewed on 6 Aug. 2025

Drift Santa Barbara, a Member of Design Hotels
Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG

4 out of 5
31 W Carrillo St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is NZ$742 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
NZ$742
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (999 reviews)
"Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, rooms were always clean. Property was very clean and restaurant was very good, right in the middle of everything from shopping to the beach."

Reviewed on 11 Aug. 2025

Kimpton Canary Hotel by IHG
Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

4 out of 5
17 W Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA
The price is NZ$491 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
NZ$491
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"The only problem I found with my room was the bathroom mirror was dirty. Everything else was very clean."

Reviewed on 5 Aug. 2025

Hotel Virginia Santa Barbara, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Haley Hotel

Haley Hotel

3.5 out of 5
26 E Haley St, Santa Barbara, CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$371 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
NZ$371
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Barbara. Enjoy free WiFi, free bicycles on site, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (540 reviews)
"Cute room, very convenient to downtown, with easy, affordable parking. The room does not have a desk or table, so difficult for getting work done, but otherwise quite nice."

Reviewed on 13 Aug. 2025

Haley Hotel
See all 1,517 properties in Historic Downtown Santa Barbara
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Historic Downtown Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara showing a coastal town

Downtown Santa Barbara

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Downtown Santa Barbara. A stop by Lobero Theater or Santa Barbara County Courthouse might round out your trip.

Downtown Santa Barbara
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Laguna

Laguna might not have many top sights, but Santa Barbara Historical Museum and Santa Barbara County Courthouse are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Laguna
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Lower State

While visiting Lower State, you might make a stop by sights like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Reagan Ranch Center.

Lower State
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Upper East

While visiting Upper East, you might make a stop by sights like Mission Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara Natural History Museum.

Upper East
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The Funk Zone

5/5(2 area reviews)

Travellers come to The Funk Zone for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and Santa Barbara Art Foundry while you're in town.

The Funk Zone
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East Beach

4.5/5(4 area reviews)

East Beach is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like East Beach and Santa Barbara Zoo.

East Beach

Historic Downtown Santa Barbara Travel Guide

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